Mesa Pubic Schools Writing Contest
Here's a great opportunity to take one of your NaNoWriMo chapters and turn it into a short story. Last year, I took a chapter from "A Place for Pamela" and created a short story called "Truth or Dare". It won first place in the short story category for staff/faculty.
http://www.mpsaz.org/bskills/secondary/write_sec/voices/
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Hello, Wrimos! Merry Christmas to you! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! And for those of you who don't celebrate these holidays, peace to you and your families. For those of you reading this that believe differently than us, let's coexist, shall we?
Peace to the world.
http://www.worldofchristmas.net/merry-christmas.html
Peace to the world.
http://www.worldofchristmas.net/merry-christmas.html
| Afrikaans | Gesëende Kersfees |
| Afrikander | Een Plesierige Kerfees |
| African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja | Rehus-Beal-Ledeats |
| Albanian | Gezur Krislinjden |
| Arabic: | Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah |
| Argentine: | Feliz Navidad |
| Armenian: | Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand |
| Azeri: | Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun |
| Bahasa Malaysia: | Selamat Hari Natal |
| Basque: | Zorionak eta Urte Berri On! |
| Bengali: | Shuvo Naba Barsha |
| Bohemian: | Vesele Vanoce |
| Brazilian: | Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo |
| Breton: | Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat |
| Bulgarian: | Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo |
| Catalan: | Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou! |
| Chile: | Feliz Navidad |
| Chinese: (Cantonese) | Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun |
| Chinese: (Mandarin) | Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan |
| Choctaw: | Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito |
| Columbia: | Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo |
| Cornish: | Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth |
| Corsian: | Pace e salute |
| Crazanian: | Rot Yikji Dol La Roo |
| Cree: | Mitho Makosi Kesikansi |
| Croatian: | Sretan Bozic |
| Czech: | Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok |
| Danish: | Glædelig Jul |
| Duri: | Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak |
| Dutch: | Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast |
| English: | Merry Christmas |
| Eskimo: (inupik) | Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo! |
| Esperanto: | Gajan Kristnaskon |
| Estonian: | Ruumsaid juulup|hi |
| Faeroese: | Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar! |
| Farsi: | Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad |
| Finnish: | Hyvaa joulua |
| Flemish: | Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar |
| French: | Joyeux Noel |
| Frisian: | Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier! |
| Galician: | Bo Nada |
| Gaelic: | Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr! |
| German: | Froehliche Weihnachten |
| Greek: | Kala Christouyenna! |
| Hausa: | Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara! |
| Hawaiian: | Mele Kalikimaka |
| Hebrew: | Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova |
| Hindi: | Shub Naya Baras |
| Hausa: | Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara! |
| Hawaian: | Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou! |
| Hungarian: | Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket |
| Icelandic: | Gledileg Jol |
| Indonesian: | Selamat Hari Natal |
| Iraqi: | Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah |
| Irish: | Nollaig Shona Dhuit or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat |
| Iroquois: | Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay. |
| Italian: | Buone Feste Natalizie |
| Japanese: | Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto |
| Jiberish: | Mithag Crithagsigathmithags |
| Korean: | Sung Tan Chuk Ha |
| Latin: | Natale hilare et Annum Faustum! |
| Latvian: | Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu! |
| Lausitzian: | Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto |
| Lettish: | Priecigus Ziemassvetkus |
| Lithuanian: | Linksmu Kaledu |
| Low Saxon: | Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar |
| Macedonian: | Sreken Bozhik |
| Maltese: | IL-Milied It-tajjeb |
| Manx: | Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa |
| Maori: | Meri Kirihimete |
| Marathi: | Shub Naya Varsh |
| Navajo: | Merry Keshmish |
| Norwegian: | God Jul or Gledelig Jul |
| Occitan: | Pulit nadal e bona annado |
| Papiamento: | Bon Pasco |
| Papua New Guinea: | Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu |
| Pennsylvania German: | En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr! |
| Peru: | Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo |
| Philipines: | Maligayan Pasko! |
| Polish: | Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie |
| Portuguese: | Feliz Natal |
| Pushto: | Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha |
| Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): | Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua |
| Rhetian: | Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn |
| Romanche (sursilvan dialect): | Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn! |
| Rumanian: | Sarbatori vesele |
| Russian: | Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom |
| Sami: | Buorrit Juovllat |
| Samoan: | La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou |
| Sardinian: | Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou |
| Serbian: | Hristos se rodi |
| Slovakian: | Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce |
| Sami: | Buorrit Juovllat |
| Samoan: | La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou |
| Scots Gaelic: | Nollaig chridheil huibh |
| Serb-Croatian: | Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina |
| Serbian: | Hristos se rodi. |
| Singhalese: | Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa |
| Slovak: | Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok |
| Slovene: | Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto |
| Spanish: | Feliz Navidad |
| Swedish: | God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År |
| Tagalog: | Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon |
| Tami: | Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal |
| Trukeese: | (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech! |
| Thai: | Sawadee Pee Mai |
| Turkish: | Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun |
| Ukrainian: | Srozhdestvom Kristovym |
| Urdu: | Naya Saal Mubarak Ho |
| Vietnamese: | Chung Mung Giang Sinh |
| Welsh: | Nadolig Llawen |
| Yugoslavian: | Cestitamo Bozic |
| Yoruba: | E ku odun, e ku iye'dun! |
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Yahoo! It's officially Christmas break! It's a great time to do the things we procrastinated during NaNoWriMo, like organizing our closets! Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful Christmas gifts. The sweets are delicious and the gift cards will come in handy as I intend to spend lots of time at the theatre catching up on all the movies I've been missing!
I urge you to make time this break to read something similar to your NaNoWriMo book. This activity will keep the genre fresh in your mind until we start revising in January. I advise you to RESIST revising yet. It's too soon. You need to maintain a healthy distance between you and your rough draft so you can develop a perspective. Go for a long walk and THINK about your book - its characters, its theme, its settings. TALK about your book to a good friend or WRITE about the book in a journal but don't actually REVISE the book. Not yet.
Have a restful break. See you in January. Remember, we start revisions January 12th.
Mrs. P.
I urge you to make time this break to read something similar to your NaNoWriMo book. This activity will keep the genre fresh in your mind until we start revising in January. I advise you to RESIST revising yet. It's too soon. You need to maintain a healthy distance between you and your rough draft so you can develop a perspective. Go for a long walk and THINK about your book - its characters, its theme, its settings. TALK about your book to a good friend or WRITE about the book in a journal but don't actually REVISE the book. Not yet.
Have a restful break. See you in January. Remember, we start revisions January 12th.
Mrs. P.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Hey - we're in the news! I'm proud of all of you!!! Go Wrimos!
http://www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org/yourstories.asp?ItemID=103&rcid=64&pcid=63&cid=64
http://www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org/yourstories.asp?ItemID=103&rcid=64&pcid=63&cid=64
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
I'm logging in for a moment to say that we had lots of fun at the NaNoWriMo TGIO (Thank Goodness It's Over) Party yesterday! We shared two paragraphs of our stories, ate pizza and won a few prizes. Congrats to Katia - the proud owner of a NaNoWriMo Winner t-shirt.
Here's a sneak peak at my book "Summer Rain".
Here's a sneak peak at my book "Summer Rain".
The thing about falling in love is it happens when you aren’t expecting it. Some people try to force it. They see a cute guy and chase him until he runs. But when it just happens naturally, unexpectantly, when you both feel it at the same moment, that’s when you know it ‘s the real thing.
My name is Kate. I’m a New York City girl. I live on the 27th floor of a high-rise condominium that has marble floors, gold fixtures and a doorman who calls me Miss MacDermond. I’m a junior at Berkham, a private school for girls who get Ferrari’s on their birthdays. So, naturally, I’ve always been interested in the sleek city boy. The kind that wear designer jeans and perfect hair. Leather jackets and pricey cologne. Diamond pinky rings and cool demeanors. They shuffle large bills through their fingers like stacks of playing cards and leave big tips. The young men from rich families whose chauffeurs pick us up in limousines, drop us off like royalty at nightclubs and Broadway shows, and whisk us through the streets of New York until the sun rises over the Hudson.
But today, I’m standing outside a crumbling auto shop on the corner of Nowhere, Minnesota, population 373. I’m 2,000 miles from civilization and the intense July sun is blistering my shoulders. But I don’t mind. I’m sipping a Coke and staring at the backside of a young man as he leans under the hood of a red ’55 Chevy. There’s a wrench sticking out of the back pocket of his Levi’s, grime on his sleeveless white t-shirt, and a black tattoo circling his tanned bicep.
He pulls, pushes and wrestles with something deep within the engine. He swears angrily under his breath and slams his hands on the rim of the truck. Then he suddenly looks over at me with dark chocolate eyes. His chin is scruffy without a shave and his shoulder-length hair blows across his face.
“Sorry,” he said.
He smiles.
I melt.
My name is Kate. I’m a New York City girl. I live on the 27th floor of a high-rise condominium that has marble floors, gold fixtures and a doorman who calls me Miss MacDermond. I’m a junior at Berkham, a private school for girls who get Ferrari’s on their birthdays. So, naturally, I’ve always been interested in the sleek city boy. The kind that wear designer jeans and perfect hair. Leather jackets and pricey cologne. Diamond pinky rings and cool demeanors. They shuffle large bills through their fingers like stacks of playing cards and leave big tips. The young men from rich families whose chauffeurs pick us up in limousines, drop us off like royalty at nightclubs and Broadway shows, and whisk us through the streets of New York until the sun rises over the Hudson.
But today, I’m standing outside a crumbling auto shop on the corner of Nowhere, Minnesota, population 373. I’m 2,000 miles from civilization and the intense July sun is blistering my shoulders. But I don’t mind. I’m sipping a Coke and staring at the backside of a young man as he leans under the hood of a red ’55 Chevy. There’s a wrench sticking out of the back pocket of his Levi’s, grime on his sleeveless white t-shirt, and a black tattoo circling his tanned bicep.
He pulls, pushes and wrestles with something deep within the engine. He swears angrily under his breath and slams his hands on the rim of the truck. Then he suddenly looks over at me with dark chocolate eyes. His chin is scruffy without a shave and his shoulder-length hair blows across his face.
“Sorry,” he said.
He smiles.
I melt.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Congratulations, Wrimos!
We wrote a cumulative amount of 800,000 words! Ten students reached their goals of 50,000! Many other students reached their goals of 5,000 - 25,000! I'm proud of all of you!
See you at the TGIO Party on Tuesday, December 7th. Bring two paragraphs to share.
We'll start editing in January. Focus on your finals now and enjoy your Christmas break.
I'm signing off this blog until January, 2011.
Adios!
Mrs. P.
We wrote a cumulative amount of 800,000 words! Ten students reached their goals of 50,000! Many other students reached their goals of 5,000 - 25,000! I'm proud of all of you!
See you at the TGIO Party on Tuesday, December 7th. Bring two paragraphs to share.
We'll start editing in January. Focus on your finals now and enjoy your Christmas break.
I'm signing off this blog until January, 2011.
Adios!
Mrs. P.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! NaNoWriMo ends in 5.5 hours, Arizona time!
I know some of you are scrambling to meet your word counts. Keep going but don't stay up too late!
I think our club's word count is 800,000 words. The Nanowrimo graph updates once per day, but according to my amazing mental math skills, I think we're at 800,000 plus a bit more. I'll post our final numbers tomorrow night.
Anyway, for me, it's back to reality until January when we begin to edit our novels.
Don't forget TGIO party next Tuesday!
Mrs. P.
I know some of you are scrambling to meet your word counts. Keep going but don't stay up too late!
I think our club's word count is 800,000 words. The Nanowrimo graph updates once per day, but according to my amazing mental math skills, I think we're at 800,000 plus a bit more. I'll post our final numbers tomorrow night.
Anyway, for me, it's back to reality until January when we begin to edit our novels.
Don't forget TGIO party next Tuesday!
Mrs. P.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Yippee! 50,000 words! I love this experience and I love my new book.
For those of you who are still working toward your goal, keep writing! You have 24 hours!
Don't forget our party next week (Dec. 7th). We'll begin editing in January.
Our group has accrued 703,000 words so far. You are all amazing! On Wednesday, I'll list the first names of the students who achieved the 50,000 goal.
Mrs. P.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Three days to go and our club members are adding to our cumulative word count at a furious pace. Today we are at 573,819! I'm at 45,500 (my numbers aren't included in the group count because I log in with an educator's profile) so combined we have definitely passed the 600,000 mark!
It looks like Katya finished! Congrats! This is her second win with NaNoWriMo!!!
Last night I wrote a new opening for my book. It doesn't replace the existing opening. It just moves it further into the story. It's a flashback technique that I repeat later in the climax of the book. The idea came as a total surprise to me while I was writing. And that's why I LOVE this contest.
Normally, when we write, it's usually for a school assignment or work, and we tend to feel constricted right out of the gate. What does the teacher expect of me? What are the rubrics on which I will be graded? What opinions or perspectives will my employer expect to see? But with Nanowrimo, you write and write and write just to see where your creativity will take you. It's like pointing your car in the general direction of the east coast and seeing if you end up in Maryland or Maine. If it's total junk, toss it. But sometimes, and more often than not, your unleashed creativity will reveal an inner thought or totally bizarre idea that you would have never discovered within the previously stated constraints. It's all about the joy of discovery and stretching yourself beyond your limitations.
So, now that I've typed my daily warm-up, I'm going to crank out a few thousand words.
Hang in there, Wrimos! Three more days and then we can collapse at the finish line with insane, delirious grins on our faces.
*************
My word count update: 48,143/50,000
1,857 more words to go and I'm finished! Woohoo!
Mrs. P.
It looks like Katya finished! Congrats! This is her second win with NaNoWriMo!!!
Last night I wrote a new opening for my book. It doesn't replace the existing opening. It just moves it further into the story. It's a flashback technique that I repeat later in the climax of the book. The idea came as a total surprise to me while I was writing. And that's why I LOVE this contest.
Normally, when we write, it's usually for a school assignment or work, and we tend to feel constricted right out of the gate. What does the teacher expect of me? What are the rubrics on which I will be graded? What opinions or perspectives will my employer expect to see? But with Nanowrimo, you write and write and write just to see where your creativity will take you. It's like pointing your car in the general direction of the east coast and seeing if you end up in Maryland or Maine. If it's total junk, toss it. But sometimes, and more often than not, your unleashed creativity will reveal an inner thought or totally bizarre idea that you would have never discovered within the previously stated constraints. It's all about the joy of discovery and stretching yourself beyond your limitations.
So, now that I've typed my daily warm-up, I'm going to crank out a few thousand words.
Hang in there, Wrimos! Three more days and then we can collapse at the finish line with insane, delirious grins on our faces.
*************
My word count update: 48,143/50,000
1,857 more words to go and I'm finished! Woohoo!
Mrs. P.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
I'm just now sitting down to write. Lots to do today, professionally and personally.
Anyway, I've got my inspiration ammo ready: dark chocolate, pretzels and Pepsi - muy, muy helado! (very, very cold!)
I'll blog again in a few hours.
I noticed we're at 564,000 words today and Mia crossed the finished line at 52,000! Congratulations! I'm right behind you, Mia! I noticed several of you are also right behind her.
Oh, yeah? Wanna race? On your mark, get set, write............
(-:
Anyway, I've got my inspiration ammo ready: dark chocolate, pretzels and Pepsi - muy, muy helado! (very, very cold!)
I'll blog again in a few hours.
I noticed we're at 564,000 words today and Mia crossed the finished line at 52,000! Congratulations! I'm right behind you, Mia! I noticed several of you are also right behind her.
Oh, yeah? Wanna race? On your mark, get set, write............
(-:
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday, November 25, 2010
I awoke this morning at 6:00a thinking I'd jump out of bed and whip out 5,000 words. I walked downstairs and was greeted by a horribly disgusting smell. I'll spare you the details but one of my dogs had gotten sick all over the floor. I had to clean up the icky goop. This, my friends, is why I became a teacher and not a nurse. It's also why I prefer the cockatiel because her poops are much smaller than those produced by golden retrievers.
So, now after the pleasantries, I'm sitting on the sofa with a cup of hot tea, trying to forget the traumatic beginning to my morning, and I'm blogging to you as a warm-up before I dive into NaNoWriMo. (I call them my mental yoga stretches.)
I'll blog later today.
**************
Ok, I wrote 1,100 words and finally reached 40,000! Yippee! The doggy stink has finally dissipated so I'm going to take a quick break, eat some breakfast and return to the land of NaNo.
BTW - our club has written 523,000 words but that number does not include my word count (40,000) plus the students who have not posted yet. Excellent work, everyone! Don't stop now! Five days left!
***************
Ok, I wrote another 1,100 words and my count is 41,172. I'm so glad I have the day off from work! Woohoo! I'm going to take a quick break and then I'll blog again.
BTW - Our TGIO (Thank Goodness It's Over!) party will be held on Tuesday, December 7th, from 3:45p - 5:00p in my classroom. Originally, the date was Wednesday, December 1st, but I have to reschedule it due to an important meeting that has come up.
Bring one or two paragraphs from your NaNoWriMo book and be prepared to share with the group. Pizza will be served, of course, as we celebrate our successes! Please pass the word to everyone in our group.
****************
I'm ending tonight with 43,268. That's 4,000 words for today. I'll try to write another 3,000 tomorrow and 3,000 on Sunday.
It's okay to get tired of writing your story. It's very normal. Just remember that you're accomplishing what many people only dream of doing. You're a novelist. Think about that word and what it implies. No short stories here. Just lots of chapters and plotting and sub-plotting and conflict and resolution, and...and...and. Get the picture?
So, here are my words of advice:
Don't analyze.
Don't stress.
Just write and write and reach your word count goal. Then put the manuscript away and don't look at again until January. You need time and a mental break from your story so you can get a perspective.
Mrs. P.
So, now after the pleasantries, I'm sitting on the sofa with a cup of hot tea, trying to forget the traumatic beginning to my morning, and I'm blogging to you as a warm-up before I dive into NaNoWriMo. (I call them my mental yoga stretches.)
I'll blog later today.
**************
Ok, I wrote 1,100 words and finally reached 40,000! Yippee! The doggy stink has finally dissipated so I'm going to take a quick break, eat some breakfast and return to the land of NaNo.
BTW - our club has written 523,000 words but that number does not include my word count (40,000) plus the students who have not posted yet. Excellent work, everyone! Don't stop now! Five days left!
***************
Ok, I wrote another 1,100 words and my count is 41,172. I'm so glad I have the day off from work! Woohoo! I'm going to take a quick break and then I'll blog again.
BTW - Our TGIO (Thank Goodness It's Over!) party will be held on Tuesday, December 7th, from 3:45p - 5:00p in my classroom. Originally, the date was Wednesday, December 1st, but I have to reschedule it due to an important meeting that has come up.
Bring one or two paragraphs from your NaNoWriMo book and be prepared to share with the group. Pizza will be served, of course, as we celebrate our successes! Please pass the word to everyone in our group.
****************
I'm ending tonight with 43,268. That's 4,000 words for today. I'll try to write another 3,000 tomorrow and 3,000 on Sunday.
It's okay to get tired of writing your story. It's very normal. Just remember that you're accomplishing what many people only dream of doing. You're a novelist. Think about that word and what it implies. No short stories here. Just lots of chapters and plotting and sub-plotting and conflict and resolution, and...and...and. Get the picture?
So, here are my words of advice:
Don't analyze.
Don't stress.
Just write and write and reach your word count goal. Then put the manuscript away and don't look at again until January. You need time and a mental break from your story so you can get a perspective.
Mrs. P.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
The turkey is in the oven, the house is clean, the tables are set and I can finally sit down and write!
Today I'm focusing on a secondary character. A long-distance conversation between her and my protagonist will help to clarify the protagonist's thoughts. Dialogue is a great tool for furthering the storyline. So, without further ado, it's time to write that conversation!
I'll check in later after the pumpkin pie has been served.
Okay, I'm back. The food was yummy! Now I've escaped the noisy crowd in my living room to steal a few minutes of NaNo time. 38,000 words so far. That makes 12,000 over the next 5.25 days!
I wrote another 1,000 words after the dishes were washed and put away. 11,000 words left! Tomorrow it's going to be leftover turkey (which means no cooking!) and, hopefully, 3,000 - 4,000 words.
Mrs. P.
The turkey is in the oven, the house is clean, the tables are set and I can finally sit down and write!
Today I'm focusing on a secondary character. A long-distance conversation between her and my protagonist will help to clarify the protagonist's thoughts. Dialogue is a great tool for furthering the storyline. So, without further ado, it's time to write that conversation!
I'll check in later after the pumpkin pie has been served.
Okay, I'm back. The food was yummy! Now I've escaped the noisy crowd in my living room to steal a few minutes of NaNo time. 38,000 words so far. That makes 12,000 over the next 5.25 days!
I wrote another 1,000 words after the dishes were washed and put away. 11,000 words left! Tomorrow it's going to be leftover turkey (which means no cooking!) and, hopefully, 3,000 - 4,000 words.
Mrs. P.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Hey, Wrimos!
Today is the last Wednesday of this 2010 competition! The days have flown by and now we're down to six! Yikes! How's your word count? I'm at 35,000 so I've got to crank out at least 2,000 tonight to keep current with my goal of 50,000 and at least another 1,000 to get slightly ahead.
Do you like spreadsheets? They are an author's best friend. Tonight I created a list of all of my characters in order of appearance. I created the following headings at the top of the columns: Character Type, First Name, Last Name, Role, Purpose. Under character type, I entered one of the following descriptors: Protagonist (main character), Supporting Character (major player but not the main character), Protagonist (adversary and also could be supporting character), Secondary Character (important person, has dialog that moves the story forward, but not major role), Tertiary Character (a character that says a few lines, like "Would you like lemon with your tea?"), and Filler (people in a crowd who say things to move the story along but don't talk to the protagonist, like "Hey, Buddy - move it!"). Under First and Last name, I entered this information for each character, unless they didn't need a name. Role means what role they play, i.e. love interest, best friend, doorman, passenger on airplane, ice cream vendor, etc. Purpose explains why I need this character in my book. How does this person help to further the plot?
So, here's an example:
Character Type: Supporting/antagonist
First Name: Caroline
Last Name: MacDermond
Role: Protagonist's mother
Purpose: This character made decisions years ago that are now creating conflicts for the protagonist. (I won't give you more information because it will SPOIL my story, and you wouldn't want that on your conscience, now would you?!)
I created this description for each character I've mentioned in the book. I now have a much clearer picture of the story and the relationship that exists between each of them, even if the relationship is simply that they ride the same train and never speak to each other.
This exercise helps to make your world more believable. It also forces you to check your facts to make sure they jive. Do all parts of the story take place at the correct location, time zone and weather zone? It forces you to ask yourself why you included these people/characters.
If they help to flesh out your story and illuminate the motives of your protagonist, keep 'em.
If they don't move the storyline forward, delete em'.
Mrs. P.
Today is the last Wednesday of this 2010 competition! The days have flown by and now we're down to six! Yikes! How's your word count? I'm at 35,000 so I've got to crank out at least 2,000 tonight to keep current with my goal of 50,000 and at least another 1,000 to get slightly ahead.
Do you like spreadsheets? They are an author's best friend. Tonight I created a list of all of my characters in order of appearance. I created the following headings at the top of the columns: Character Type, First Name, Last Name, Role, Purpose. Under character type, I entered one of the following descriptors: Protagonist (main character), Supporting Character (major player but not the main character), Protagonist (adversary and also could be supporting character), Secondary Character (important person, has dialog that moves the story forward, but not major role), Tertiary Character (a character that says a few lines, like "Would you like lemon with your tea?"), and Filler (people in a crowd who say things to move the story along but don't talk to the protagonist, like "Hey, Buddy - move it!"). Under First and Last name, I entered this information for each character, unless they didn't need a name. Role means what role they play, i.e. love interest, best friend, doorman, passenger on airplane, ice cream vendor, etc. Purpose explains why I need this character in my book. How does this person help to further the plot?
So, here's an example:
Character Type: Supporting/antagonist
First Name: Caroline
Last Name: MacDermond
Role: Protagonist's mother
Purpose: This character made decisions years ago that are now creating conflicts for the protagonist. (I won't give you more information because it will SPOIL my story, and you wouldn't want that on your conscience, now would you?!)
I created this description for each character I've mentioned in the book. I now have a much clearer picture of the story and the relationship that exists between each of them, even if the relationship is simply that they ride the same train and never speak to each other.
This exercise helps to make your world more believable. It also forces you to check your facts to make sure they jive. Do all parts of the story take place at the correct location, time zone and weather zone? It forces you to ask yourself why you included these people/characters.
If they help to flesh out your story and illuminate the motives of your protagonist, keep 'em.
If they don't move the storyline forward, delete em'.
Mrs. P.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hey, Wrimos! Day 23 out of 30. Our group has logged 476,000 words! Yeah!
We will be taking club pictures for the yearbook on Monday, November 29th. Stop by my classroom to pick up an order form.
Also, some of you have created some unusual NaNoWriMo usernames and I cannot figure out some of your actual names. Please email me or stop by my classroom and let me know.
TTFN
Mrs. P.
We will be taking club pictures for the yearbook on Monday, November 29th. Stop by my classroom to pick up an order form.
Also, some of you have created some unusual NaNoWriMo usernames and I cannot figure out some of your actual names. Please email me or stop by my classroom and let me know.
TTFN
Mrs. P.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
460,000 words today, Wrimos! Eight days to go. Let's keep the pace and don't give up!
The following snippet is an excerpt from an insightful, delightful article written by Elisabeth Eaves, Deputy Editor, Forbes, June 5, 2009. I cannot find her email to request permission to post these words, but I am providing the source URL to her article below to attribute the words as belonging to her. Thanks, Ms. Eaves!
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/04/books-publishing-social-media-opinions-columnists-kindle-twitter.html
In her article titled "Why Write Books", Eaves wrote: "Ultimately the only good reason to write books remains what it probably always was: The compulsion to try to entertain, persuade or make meaning is irresistible, and the process absorbs you like nothing else. If it doesn't, there's no reason to bother."
And that, my Wrimos, is why I write books. I can't breathe if I'm not writing. It's a part of my psyche. Published or not. Famous or not. It matters not. It's all about the expression of the soul and the power to create something beautiful from nothing.
Keep writing. And ask yourself what motivates you to write. And then always remember this fact while you're doing it.
Mrs. P.
The following snippet is an excerpt from an insightful, delightful article written by Elisabeth Eaves, Deputy Editor, Forbes, June 5, 2009. I cannot find her email to request permission to post these words, but I am providing the source URL to her article below to attribute the words as belonging to her. Thanks, Ms. Eaves!
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/04/books-publishing-social-media-opinions-columnists-kindle-twitter.html
In her article titled "Why Write Books", Eaves wrote: "Ultimately the only good reason to write books remains what it probably always was: The compulsion to try to entertain, persuade or make meaning is irresistible, and the process absorbs you like nothing else. If it doesn't, there's no reason to bother."
And that, my Wrimos, is why I write books. I can't breathe if I'm not writing. It's a part of my psyche. Published or not. Famous or not. It matters not. It's all about the expression of the soul and the power to create something beautiful from nothing.
Keep writing. And ask yourself what motivates you to write. And then always remember this fact while you're doing it.
Mrs. P.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
When I prepare to write, I always follow a certain routine. Kinda' like a baseball pitcher who digs his cleats into the dirt, rubs his nose three times, scratches his left shoulder and blinks twice. Or like a cat who walks around his bed twice, claws the fabric a few times, and finally tucks his tail under his tush.
Here's my routine: I pour a cup of tea (steamy or iced, depending upon the weather), check my work e-mail, respond to my work e-mail, check my social e-mail, respond, check my social networking sites to see if anyone died or is getting married, write a short blog, find some chocolate in the pantry, adjust my chair, launch Pandora and select Romantic Piano, aka Chopin and Rachmaninov, adjust my headphones three or four times, tell my kids to hold all calls and homework questions, and then, finally, I write.
Today, however, I decided to add an additional step since it's Sunday and the newspaper on the kitchen countertop refused to let me pass. I read a "Dear Abby" question about a person who bought a house, began to rennovate it, and found collector coins hidden in the walls. The writer's question was whether or not he had a moral obligation to return the coins to the previous owner or take the cash and run. I was not interested in the advice. Instead, a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized I had hit upon a new chapter for my NaNoWriMo book. Not about coins but about something hidden in a wall that will shed light on a certain situation my protagonist is trying to solve.
So, the moral of the story is that you can find inspiration for your book anywhere as long as you are open to possibilities. And...if you procrastinate a little. (-:
Hey - we're busting the chart at 430,000 words today! Keep writing, Wrimos! Ten days left. We're in the home stretch!
Mrs. P.
Here's my routine: I pour a cup of tea (steamy or iced, depending upon the weather), check my work e-mail, respond to my work e-mail, check my social e-mail, respond, check my social networking sites to see if anyone died or is getting married, write a short blog, find some chocolate in the pantry, adjust my chair, launch Pandora and select Romantic Piano, aka Chopin and Rachmaninov, adjust my headphones three or four times, tell my kids to hold all calls and homework questions, and then, finally, I write.
Today, however, I decided to add an additional step since it's Sunday and the newspaper on the kitchen countertop refused to let me pass. I read a "Dear Abby" question about a person who bought a house, began to rennovate it, and found collector coins hidden in the walls. The writer's question was whether or not he had a moral obligation to return the coins to the previous owner or take the cash and run. I was not interested in the advice. Instead, a lightbulb went off in my head and I realized I had hit upon a new chapter for my NaNoWriMo book. Not about coins but about something hidden in a wall that will shed light on a certain situation my protagonist is trying to solve.
So, the moral of the story is that you can find inspiration for your book anywhere as long as you are open to possibilities. And...if you procrastinate a little. (-:
Hey - we're busting the chart at 430,000 words today! Keep writing, Wrimos! Ten days left. We're in the home stretch!
Mrs. P.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Hey, Wrimos!
I've been cleaning house today (not my fave activity) and thinking about my NaNoWriMo book. Sometimes I like to imagine my protagonist as if she's really real (for lack of better words). What would she be doing right now? If I could observe her, as if watching a movie, what would she be doing? Thinking? What are her concerns?
So, while I'm vacuuming bird up bird seeds from the carpet (cockatiels are sooooooooo messy!), I'm thinking about Kate MacDermond, aka my protagonist. Then, when the bird is tucked in her cage for the night, I'll write about Kate.
And eat dark chocolate, of course, because there is no point in consuming empty calories unless it's dark chocolate (with almonds!).
Mrs. P.
BTW - I love this pep talk from author John Green. Take a moment to follow this link.
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/node/846327
I've been cleaning house today (not my fave activity) and thinking about my NaNoWriMo book. Sometimes I like to imagine my protagonist as if she's really real (for lack of better words). What would she be doing right now? If I could observe her, as if watching a movie, what would she be doing? Thinking? What are her concerns?
So, while I'm vacuuming bird up bird seeds from the carpet (cockatiels are sooooooooo messy!), I'm thinking about Kate MacDermond, aka my protagonist. Then, when the bird is tucked in her cage for the night, I'll write about Kate.
And eat dark chocolate, of course, because there is no point in consuming empty calories unless it's dark chocolate (with almonds!).
Mrs. P.
BTW - I love this pep talk from author John Green. Take a moment to follow this link.
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/node/846327
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hey, Wrimos:
Are you running out of ideas? Can't decide what you should write about next? Here's what I'm doing. Tonight I'm thinking about WHERE.
Where does each chapter of my story take place? Here's the list of locations in my book in the order in which they appear:
On the marble steps of the Berkshire School for Girls in New York City. (fictitious)
In an upscale condo in NYC.
35,000 feet above the earth in an airplane.
On the curb outside the airport in Minnesota.
On the freeway.
On a bumpy country road.
At a ranch house on Big Lake, Minnesota (fictitious).
On a bike riding through a country town.
At the town's library.
At the town's diner.
On the lake.
At a park.
At a cemetary.
At a friend's house.
At the ranch house on the lake.
At the airport.
At the ranch house on the lake.
Ok. So that answers the question WHERE. Now, I'm going to make a list of words (nouns and adjectives) that help me visualize these locations. Next, I will make a list of words that explain how my character feels while at those locations.
I will use these lists to spark a scene, some action or a conversation.
Keep writing!
Mrs. P.
Are you running out of ideas? Can't decide what you should write about next? Here's what I'm doing. Tonight I'm thinking about WHERE.
Where does each chapter of my story take place? Here's the list of locations in my book in the order in which they appear:
On the marble steps of the Berkshire School for Girls in New York City. (fictitious)
In an upscale condo in NYC.
35,000 feet above the earth in an airplane.
On the curb outside the airport in Minnesota.
On the freeway.
On a bumpy country road.
At a ranch house on Big Lake, Minnesota (fictitious).
On a bike riding through a country town.
At the town's library.
At the town's diner.
On the lake.
At a park.
At a cemetary.
At a friend's house.
At the ranch house on the lake.
At the airport.
At the ranch house on the lake.
Ok. So that answers the question WHERE. Now, I'm going to make a list of words (nouns and adjectives) that help me visualize these locations. Next, I will make a list of words that explain how my character feels while at those locations.
I will use these lists to spark a scene, some action or a conversation.
Keep writing!
Mrs. P.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sung to the tune of "I Wish I Were a Little Bar of Soap"
Oh, I wish that I could NaNo all day long! (all day long!)
Oh, I wish that I could NaNo all day long! (all day long!)
I would write and write and write
every morning, noon and night,
Oh, I wish that I could NaNo all day long! (all day long!)
Okay, I know that was lame, but it's the way I feel. Sometimes life (silly things like work, paying the bills and even eating dinner!) just gets in the way of writing! I really do wish I could write all day. I'm finding that I miss my characters during the day and can't wait to get home from work and to my fictitious world.
I hit my half-way mark tonight (yahoo!). Yes, you can cheer for me (yippee!) HOWEVER I'm choking on the dust of several of my club members who have reached 33,000 words already!!! Our club is at 360,000 tonight (not including my word count).
I'm happy for all of you and proud to sponsor your club. And, BTW, Kaitlyn received her proof from her summer JuNoWriMo book! Way to go!
So, after all of this gabbing, I am offering no writing advice for tonight other than keep moving forward. Time to get back to what's really important.
You know what that is...
Oh, I wish that I...
Mrs. P.
Oh, I wish that I could NaNo all day long! (all day long!)
Oh, I wish that I could NaNo all day long! (all day long!)
I would write and write and write
every morning, noon and night,
Oh, I wish that I could NaNo all day long! (all day long!)
Okay, I know that was lame, but it's the way I feel. Sometimes life (silly things like work, paying the bills and even eating dinner!) just gets in the way of writing! I really do wish I could write all day. I'm finding that I miss my characters during the day and can't wait to get home from work and to my fictitious world.
I hit my half-way mark tonight (yahoo!). Yes, you can cheer for me (yippee!) HOWEVER I'm choking on the dust of several of my club members who have reached 33,000 words already!!! Our club is at 360,000 tonight (not including my word count).
I'm happy for all of you and proud to sponsor your club. And, BTW, Kaitlyn received her proof from her summer JuNoWriMo book! Way to go!
So, after all of this gabbing, I am offering no writing advice for tonight other than keep moving forward. Time to get back to what's really important.
You know what that is...
Oh, I wish that I...
Mrs. P.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Half way mark! Fifteen days down, fifteen to go! I just checked the NaNo website. Our class is at 320,000 words! You are all amazing!
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/node/774777/classroom/progress
Here's your question for today. What is your main character thinking?
Here's your challenge. Write 500 words (or more) that explain what he/she is thinking about the situation in which you've placed him/her. Is she happy? Is he frustrated? Confused? It is likely you will delete this information from your novel later but it will serve as valuable back story. It will also help you to better understand the motives of your character and help guide you as you create more situations and character responses that are consistent with your character's behavior.
Write it in first person, as if you were sharing cups of tea and a heart-to-heart conversation.
Mrs. P.
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/node/774777/classroom/progress
Here's your question for today. What is your main character thinking?
Here's your challenge. Write 500 words (or more) that explain what he/she is thinking about the situation in which you've placed him/her. Is she happy? Is he frustrated? Confused? It is likely you will delete this information from your novel later but it will serve as valuable back story. It will also help you to better understand the motives of your character and help guide you as you create more situations and character responses that are consistent with your character's behavior.
Write it in first person, as if you were sharing cups of tea and a heart-to-heart conversation.
Mrs. P.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Running out of ideas? Then it's time to create a sub-plot.
Sub-plotting involves following a supporting character as he/she pursues his/her own lesser, but important, goal.
An example off the top of my head is Twilight. (If I were a Harry Potter fan, I would have used an example from that series). While Bella runs around with wolves and vampires, her father, Charlie, attempts to deal with the fact that he now has a daughter living in his home again. He's not sure how to be a father. He doesn't know what to say or how to act, but he loves Bella and wants a relationship with her. Which is why, when Bella lies and tells her dad she hates living in Forks and is going back to Arizona (to protect him from James the vampire), we hurt for Charlie and experience his pain.
In my story, my main character (protagonist) is Kate. The storyline revolves around her quest to determine who she is and the meaning of her life when it is revealed that everything she knows about her past is untrue. One of the supporting characters is her mother (who is also one of the antagonists). Caroline (mother) has purposefully created a facade of existence to protect Kate from the past. In her quest to protect Kate, she reinforced her own insecurities and built a facade to protect herself as well. The sub-plot of the story revolves around Caroline's struggle to deal with the consequences of her decisions.
So, here are some questions for you to ponder...
1. Who is your supporting character? (Maybe you have more than one?)
2. What does that supporting character want? What are his/her concerns or fears?
3. What is causing conflict or antagonizing the supporting character?
4. Does the supporting character achieve his/her own goals?
The Academy Novel Writing Club meets tomorrow after school in my classroom until 5p.
Mrs. P
Sub-plotting involves following a supporting character as he/she pursues his/her own lesser, but important, goal.
An example off the top of my head is Twilight. (If I were a Harry Potter fan, I would have used an example from that series). While Bella runs around with wolves and vampires, her father, Charlie, attempts to deal with the fact that he now has a daughter living in his home again. He's not sure how to be a father. He doesn't know what to say or how to act, but he loves Bella and wants a relationship with her. Which is why, when Bella lies and tells her dad she hates living in Forks and is going back to Arizona (to protect him from James the vampire), we hurt for Charlie and experience his pain.
In my story, my main character (protagonist) is Kate. The storyline revolves around her quest to determine who she is and the meaning of her life when it is revealed that everything she knows about her past is untrue. One of the supporting characters is her mother (who is also one of the antagonists). Caroline (mother) has purposefully created a facade of existence to protect Kate from the past. In her quest to protect Kate, she reinforced her own insecurities and built a facade to protect herself as well. The sub-plot of the story revolves around Caroline's struggle to deal with the consequences of her decisions.
So, here are some questions for you to ponder...
1. Who is your supporting character? (Maybe you have more than one?)
2. What does that supporting character want? What are his/her concerns or fears?
3. What is causing conflict or antagonizing the supporting character?
4. Does the supporting character achieve his/her own goals?
The Academy Novel Writing Club meets tomorrow after school in my classroom until 5p.
Mrs. P
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
***Academy Writing Club Update***
Our club reached the 270,000 word count with two writers hitting 27,000 words tonight! I'm so proud of all of you!
As for me, I finally finished my grading and progress reports, so I'm going to brew some tea, launch Pandora.com and listen to Rachmaninov. Let's see if I can crank out 1,000 words before I fall asleep on my laptop!
BTW - you must be sure to do your schoolwork! I know some of you have been pushing your homework to the back burner during NaNoWriMo. Well, that's a NaNoNoNo! School MUST come first, writers!
************************************************************************************************
Hey, Wrimos!
Sorry I haven't posted lately. It's progress report time, as you know, and I've a ton of grading to do! (-:
Keep writing!
Think setting. Where does your story take place? Make a list of every descriptive word (nouns and adjectives) you can think of that explains and describes your setting.
Think motive. What does your character want and why? What's preventing him/her from getting it?
Here's a dare...
I dare you to summarize your story in 500 words or less. Next, I double-dare you to write it in 200 words or less! If you can summarize and boil your story down to 150 words or less, you'll be able to include it on the back cover of your book. Remember to answer who, what, when, where, why and how. Can't get started on this dare? Then pretend you're at a party and someone you just met says "I heard you're writing a novel. What's it about?" Can you simplify your story to keep this person interested?
Back to my gradebook. TTFN
Mrs. P
Our club reached the 270,000 word count with two writers hitting 27,000 words tonight! I'm so proud of all of you!
As for me, I finally finished my grading and progress reports, so I'm going to brew some tea, launch Pandora.com and listen to Rachmaninov. Let's see if I can crank out 1,000 words before I fall asleep on my laptop!
BTW - you must be sure to do your schoolwork! I know some of you have been pushing your homework to the back burner during NaNoWriMo. Well, that's a NaNoNoNo! School MUST come first, writers!
************************************************************************************************
Hey, Wrimos!
Sorry I haven't posted lately. It's progress report time, as you know, and I've a ton of grading to do! (-:
Keep writing!
Think setting. Where does your story take place? Make a list of every descriptive word (nouns and adjectives) you can think of that explains and describes your setting.
Think motive. What does your character want and why? What's preventing him/her from getting it?
Here's a dare...
I dare you to summarize your story in 500 words or less. Next, I double-dare you to write it in 200 words or less! If you can summarize and boil your story down to 150 words or less, you'll be able to include it on the back cover of your book. Remember to answer who, what, when, where, why and how. Can't get started on this dare? Then pretend you're at a party and someone you just met says "I heard you're writing a novel. What's it about?" Can you simplify your story to keep this person interested?
Back to my gradebook. TTFN
Mrs. P
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Off to watch the Veterans' Day Parade and then on to the Cheesecake Factory! Yum! Besides yummylicious cheesecake they also create the BEST carrot cake I've ever eaten! Yes, this professed chocoholic actually orders carrot cake at the Cheesecake Factory!
And then, it's back to NaNoWriMo!
write, write, write, write...!
Ok, so I'm back now from a lengthy (but fun!) day and I'm ready to resume writing. Yes, the carrot cake was just what I expected. Complete euphoria! And I have some to bring to work with me tomorrow! Sounds like breakfast to me. Woohoo!
And now, back to work!
Some of my students have written 22,000 words! It's only Day 11! At this rate, I think they may meet their 50,000 word count by the end of next week and may possibly surpass even their own expectations by November 30th! Keep up the good work, Wrimos!
Mrs. P.
And then, it's back to NaNoWriMo!
write, write, write, write...!
Ok, so I'm back now from a lengthy (but fun!) day and I'm ready to resume writing. Yes, the carrot cake was just what I expected. Complete euphoria! And I have some to bring to work with me tomorrow! Sounds like breakfast to me. Woohoo!
And now, back to work!
Some of my students have written 22,000 words! It's only Day 11! At this rate, I think they may meet their 50,000 word count by the end of next week and may possibly surpass even their own expectations by November 30th! Keep up the good work, Wrimos!
Mrs. P.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Our word count today is 220,000! Excellent job, everyone! Keep writing! No school tomorrow (yippee!).
NO EXCUSES!
Write, write, write, write, write...(-:
NO EXCUSES!
Write, write, write, write, write...(-:
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I think we have surpassed our word count of 200,000! The NaNoWriMo website indicates our class is at 192,000 words, but it doesn't include my word count since I'm a teacher. Well, I'm at 15,000+ words tonight, so that puts us over the 200,000 mark! Congratulations to everyone! Keep up the great work.
BTW - since we are an official club, we're going to have our pix taken for the yearbook! Yippee!
Early dismissal tomorrow but you can stay and type. Bring food. I'm out of popcorn, folks! (-:
Mrs. P.
BTW - since we are an official club, we're going to have our pix taken for the yearbook! Yippee!
Early dismissal tomorrow but you can stay and type. Bring food. I'm out of popcorn, folks! (-:
Mrs. P.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
In just one week, collectively our Novel Writing Club has written 170,000 words! That's just ONE WEEK! And the number does not include everyone - some writers have not uploaded any words yet, and one writer in particular is hand-writing her book until the end! Do you think the NaNoWriMo chart will accommodate our high word count (with three weeks yet to come?!) I am so proud of all of you!
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/node/774777/classroom/progress
Here's what I see each day at school...
I unlock my classroom door at 7:30a and students come inside, grab a laptop and start writing. Writers come into my classroom for both lunches - headphones on, music playing in their ears, stories unfolding in their minds, and sandwiches being eaten between keystrokes. THEN, after school students are again sitting at their tables, type-type-typing away! I couldn't be more proud of you!
So, Week Two has begun! Keep up the good work, persevere, and DON'T GIVE UP!
Mrs. P
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/node/774777/classroom/progress
Here's what I see each day at school...
I unlock my classroom door at 7:30a and students come inside, grab a laptop and start writing. Writers come into my classroom for both lunches - headphones on, music playing in their ears, stories unfolding in their minds, and sandwiches being eaten between keystrokes. THEN, after school students are again sitting at their tables, type-type-typing away! I couldn't be more proud of you!
So, Week Two has begun! Keep up the good work, persevere, and DON'T GIVE UP!
Mrs. P
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I am sooooooooooo proud of our club members! It's only Day 7 and some of you have already written 17,000 words! WOW! You'll be finished much sooner than the 30th which means you can either keep on increasing your word count or go back and start editing. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
For those of you who are below your daily word count, don't give up! Keep writing. Some of the people who have achieved high word counts participated in NaNoWriMo in the past so they knew what was expected of them before they started. That's where pre-planning comes in. The most important thing to remember is that you chose to participate because you love to write. The contest is just a means to an end - to get you to write the book you've always considered writing. So, even though we talk about word count, it's more important to focus on the fun you're having. Keep pushing toward the goal, don't get discouraged and be sure to join as at the TGIO party on Wednesday, December 1st!
(Thank Goodness It's Over)
Now, for those of you who feel like they need a little break or some inspiration, I suggest you open up Power Point and start creating character collages. What's that, you ask? Copy and paste clip art images or website links to photos that help you describe your characters or settings. For instance, my character attends a college-prep high school in New York. I visited the website of a school I think is similar to the one my character attends. I analyzed the uniforms and building structure to give me inspiration. One of my characters was involved in the Persian Gulf War, so I visited websites that included photos of soldiers in battle. It is important to be as realistic as possible, especially if you are writing about historical events. Be sure to attribute the sites in your book.
Happy writing!
Mrs. P
For those of you who are below your daily word count, don't give up! Keep writing. Some of the people who have achieved high word counts participated in NaNoWriMo in the past so they knew what was expected of them before they started. That's where pre-planning comes in. The most important thing to remember is that you chose to participate because you love to write. The contest is just a means to an end - to get you to write the book you've always considered writing. So, even though we talk about word count, it's more important to focus on the fun you're having. Keep pushing toward the goal, don't get discouraged and be sure to join as at the TGIO party on Wednesday, December 1st!
(Thank Goodness It's Over)
Now, for those of you who feel like they need a little break or some inspiration, I suggest you open up Power Point and start creating character collages. What's that, you ask? Copy and paste clip art images or website links to photos that help you describe your characters or settings. For instance, my character attends a college-prep high school in New York. I visited the website of a school I think is similar to the one my character attends. I analyzed the uniforms and building structure to give me inspiration. One of my characters was involved in the Persian Gulf War, so I visited websites that included photos of soldiers in battle. It is important to be as realistic as possible, especially if you are writing about historical events. Be sure to attribute the sites in your book.
Happy writing!
Mrs. P
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
My NaNoWriMo book is coming along quite well. It's almost too easy this time (book number three). Maybe it's because I'm getting comfortable with the process or because of all the pre-planning during September and October. Maybe it's just because I have a really awesome idea (IMHO) and I've got lots to say.
But what I really think is helping me to write this book is the NaNo philosophy - write. Don't edit. Just write. When we cast our inner editor aside, great things happen. We don't get caught up in selecting proper tense or working a sentence to death just to make it sound right. The NaNo philosophy is to write and write and write without editing. If the outcome is total garbage, then we throw it out. At least we improved our typing skills! But seriously, nothing is wasted because oftentimes we can use that information as backstory even if it never appears in the book.
Sometimes the greatest of inspiration comes out of nowhere. No pre-planning can ever replace the idea that develops unexpectedly. That happened to me today. I was creating a scene where two characters are talking. I let them ramble for a while, listening and watching the direction the scene was taking, and all of a sudden one of them said something that I never expected. It solved a problem (can't say what yet) in a totally unexpected way!
What do you mean - you let them ramble? (you ask). Don't you have any control over what your characters think and say? Yes and no. I create the scene, put a cup of coffee in their hands, start the conversation, and see where it goes. If I stopped to edit and analyze, chances are I might put a cork in the inspiration, but if I let them talk and talk, great things can arise. And if nothing happens, I close the scene and move on. But, trust me, if you let them ramble for a page or so, something WILL happen. Totally unexpected. Totally inspirational. Totally NaNo.
So, stop analyzing. Just write.
(-:
But what I really think is helping me to write this book is the NaNo philosophy - write. Don't edit. Just write. When we cast our inner editor aside, great things happen. We don't get caught up in selecting proper tense or working a sentence to death just to make it sound right. The NaNo philosophy is to write and write and write without editing. If the outcome is total garbage, then we throw it out. At least we improved our typing skills! But seriously, nothing is wasted because oftentimes we can use that information as backstory even if it never appears in the book.
Sometimes the greatest of inspiration comes out of nowhere. No pre-planning can ever replace the idea that develops unexpectedly. That happened to me today. I was creating a scene where two characters are talking. I let them ramble for a while, listening and watching the direction the scene was taking, and all of a sudden one of them said something that I never expected. It solved a problem (can't say what yet) in a totally unexpected way!
What do you mean - you let them ramble? (you ask). Don't you have any control over what your characters think and say? Yes and no. I create the scene, put a cup of coffee in their hands, start the conversation, and see where it goes. If I stopped to edit and analyze, chances are I might put a cork in the inspiration, but if I let them talk and talk, great things can arise. And if nothing happens, I close the scene and move on. But, trust me, if you let them ramble for a page or so, something WILL happen. Totally unexpected. Totally inspirational. Totally NaNo.
So, stop analyzing. Just write.
(-:
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
As writers, we have power. We have the power to thrill, the power to scare, the power to make people think and feel. We can create worlds and draw our readers into these worlds. We can create characters that our readers will either care about or hope will be destroyed. As our characters learn life's lessons through their trials and pain, our readers can learn, as well.
As writers, we have power. We have the power to create a universe where none exists. We can create cities, buildings and neighborhoods; oceans, lakes, and fish ponds. We can make people fall in love, cry, die, conquer their fears, and succumb to temptation.
As writers, we have power. We have the power to change opinions and open our readers' minds to new possibilities. We can inspire and encourage. Inform and teach. Reflect and ponder.
As writers, we are blessed and cursed. To me, being a writer is the greatest gift/curse all rolled up into one exhilarating package. I love to write. I think about it constantly, always listening, reading and watching for inspiration. Insight. A theme. An idea. A motive. I'm also consumed about it. And when I'm not writing, I'm looking forward to the moment when I can.
It's a bittersweet friendship. A love-hate relationship. A can't-live-without, gotta-do-it-before-I-go-crazy obsession.
Writer. I can think of nothing better.
As writers, we have power. We have the power to create a universe where none exists. We can create cities, buildings and neighborhoods; oceans, lakes, and fish ponds. We can make people fall in love, cry, die, conquer their fears, and succumb to temptation.
As writers, we have power. We have the power to change opinions and open our readers' minds to new possibilities. We can inspire and encourage. Inform and teach. Reflect and ponder.
As writers, we are blessed and cursed. To me, being a writer is the greatest gift/curse all rolled up into one exhilarating package. I love to write. I think about it constantly, always listening, reading and watching for inspiration. Insight. A theme. An idea. A motive. I'm also consumed about it. And when I'm not writing, I'm looking forward to the moment when I can.
It's a bittersweet friendship. A love-hate relationship. A can't-live-without, gotta-do-it-before-I-go-crazy obsession.
Writer. I can think of nothing better.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Hey, Wrimos!
Here we are - Day 3. How's the word count coming along? I think I'm at about 4,300 words so far, which is lower than normal for me. I'm looking forward to writing this weekend - it's difficult to find time during the work/school week, isn't it?
Thanks to all of you who have been writing before school, during lunch and after school! I'm proud of all of you!
My classroom will be open tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:15 a.m. Come on in!
Mrs. P
Here we are - Day 3. How's the word count coming along? I think I'm at about 4,300 words so far, which is lower than normal for me. I'm looking forward to writing this weekend - it's difficult to find time during the work/school week, isn't it?
Thanks to all of you who have been writing before school, during lunch and after school! I'm proud of all of you!
My classroom will be open tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:15 a.m. Come on in!
Mrs. P
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The NaNoWriMo meeting planned for tomorrow after school has been cancelled due to extra-early release. I'll be at meetings all afternoon so I urge you to go home and write or head to the public library.
I noticed your word counts are really accelerating! Keep up the good work!
If you would like to be a featured writer on my hallway bulletin board, bring in a photo (b/w) and two-three sentence blurb on your book.
Mrs. P.
I noticed your word counts are really accelerating! Keep up the good work!
If you would like to be a featured writer on my hallway bulletin board, bring in a photo (b/w) and two-three sentence blurb on your book.
Mrs. P.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Woohoo! It's NaNoWriMo time! Yippee!
Guess how many students showed up for the kick-off? Yep - 35! And Sra. Cota! And Alisyn and A'Vanti (former students). We ate pizza (writing makes one hungry, does it not?), played "Name the Author" games and wrote our first words of the month!
I'm so happy we can share our enthusiasm for writing together! One down. Twenty-nine to go!
BTW - extra early dismissal on Wednesday.
Guess how many students showed up for the kick-off? Yep - 35! And Sra. Cota! And Alisyn and A'Vanti (former students). We ate pizza (writing makes one hungry, does it not?), played "Name the Author" games and wrote our first words of the month!
I'm so happy we can share our enthusiasm for writing together! One down. Twenty-nine to go!
BTW - extra early dismissal on Wednesday.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Nine and a half hours to go...
Go to the ywp.nanowrimo.org website, log in and edit your settings to reflect your location in the world (I say world because I know some of the visitors of this blog are from other countries). This step is very important because you could lose precious hours on the last day of NaNoWriMo (November 30) if you do not set your time to your location.
Novel Club - don't forget the kick-off tomorrow in my classroom after 7th hour. Come hungry and ready to write! Bring headphones (or you can use mine), notes, storyline maps or whatever you need to start noveling!
My classroom will be open before school (at 7:30a), during both A and B lunches, and after school...except...this Wednesday. Extra early release on Wednesday. I'll be in meetings that afternoon. No NaNoWriMo club at school that day. Go home and write or head to the public library!!!
Mrs. P.
Go to the ywp.nanowrimo.org website, log in and edit your settings to reflect your location in the world (I say world because I know some of the visitors of this blog are from other countries). This step is very important because you could lose precious hours on the last day of NaNoWriMo (November 30) if you do not set your time to your location.
Novel Club - don't forget the kick-off tomorrow in my classroom after 7th hour. Come hungry and ready to write! Bring headphones (or you can use mine), notes, storyline maps or whatever you need to start noveling!
My classroom will be open before school (at 7:30a), during both A and B lunches, and after school...except...this Wednesday. Extra early release on Wednesday. I'll be in meetings that afternoon. No NaNoWriMo club at school that day. Go home and write or head to the public library!!!
Mrs. P.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 29, 2010
Congratulations, cast and chorus! Four shows in two days! Excellent job! I hope you enjoyed yourselves and are getting some rest because in just two days it's...
NaNoWriMo!!!
Time to hang up the costumes, put away the makeup, and think WRITING! Did you complete your storyline map? Chapter overviews? Remember the Excel spreadsheets we created? They should be ready to go by tomorrow (Sunday).
BTW - two teachers are going to join us this year. I won't say who... but one of them teaches English and the other Espanol!
Don't forget our kick-off on Monday after 7th hour. Pizza and prizes. Ready to write? Let's go!
Mrs. P
NaNoWriMo!!!
Time to hang up the costumes, put away the makeup, and think WRITING! Did you complete your storyline map? Chapter overviews? Remember the Excel spreadsheets we created? They should be ready to go by tomorrow (Sunday).
BTW - two teachers are going to join us this year. I won't say who... but one of them teaches English and the other Espanol!
Don't forget our kick-off on Monday after 7th hour. Pizza and prizes. Ready to write? Let's go!
Mrs. P
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Hello, Wrimos!
Sorry the blogs have been so short (and practically non-existent) these past few days, but as most of you know, our school has been in the midst of a musical performance (four shows) and I, your humble club sponsor, have been busy directing the music and applying makeup! So, this blog will be very short.
Three days left.
U redi?
Sorry the blogs have been so short (and practically non-existent) these past few days, but as most of you know, our school has been in the midst of a musical performance (four shows) and I, your humble club sponsor, have been busy directing the music and applying makeup! So, this blog will be very short.
Three days left.
U redi?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 25, 2010
OMG! Five more days! Are you ready? I can't wait to start. Sorry I had to miss tonight's club meeting...it' rehearsal time, as you know.
Hey - check this out...
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/education/article_77d19f72-de0d-11df-a1b9-001cc4c002e0.html
Hey - check this out...
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/education/article_77d19f72-de0d-11df-a1b9-001cc4c002e0.html
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Once upon a time, there was a lovely princess who lived in a castle far, far away. She loved Prince Wonderful from the Kingdom Down the Road. On their wedding day, they kissed and lived happily ever after. The End.
Blah! The protagonist (princess) gets what she wants (marriage to Prince Wonderful). Okay, we're happy for her (yippee!), but we really could care less about the story because we don't know much about her, and her life is perfect. She gets what she wants and she seems lucky and spoiled. Yawn! Whatever.
BUT...
Let's throw in antagonists! These are the animate or inanimate objects that create stumbling blocks for the protagonist and make us wonder "Oh, No! Poor princess! Will she ever marry Prince Wonderful?!" Antagonists can be people, creatures, ideas, fears, objects, weather, etc. Antagonists are a necessary part of every good story. And you can (and should) add more than one!
So, here's the same story with antagonists...
In a castle far, far away lives a lovely princess. She loves Prince Wonderful from the Kingdom Down the Road. Her evil step-father, King Hateful and Mean (antagonistic character), refuses to let her marry. He wants the princess to remain a single woman so she will care for him in his old age (antagonistic demands). To prevent her from leaving, he places a guard at her door each night so she will not leave (antagonistic characters).
Poor princess! She is sad (antagonistic feeling) for she loves Prince Wonderful with all her heart! She desires to marry Prince Wonderful but knows she will never be able to fulfill the desires of her heart. Secretly, she climbs out of the castle window each night and rides her white steed to the forest near the Kingdom Down the Road (you go, girl!). There she and Prince Wonderful kiss and profess their love (awwww!!!!). Every morning, she returns to her castle at sunrise, before her father awakens, and prepares his breakfast.
King Hateful and Mean becomes suspicious of her happy singing each morning as she prepares his grande breakfast burrito with salsa (ole!). One morning, the King orders his guards (antagonistic supporting characters) to follow the princess to the Kingdom Down the Road. They report back to the King where the girl goes each night. King Hateful and Mean yells hateful and mean things! When she returns the next morning, he angrily orders the princess to be jailed in the cold, dark dungeon in the depths of the castle (antagonistic environment) where she weeps with despair.
Ah, antagonists! We love to hate them! Without antagonists, your protagonist would quickly achieve his or her goals and the story would end before it ever really began. And a story that has no antagonists is, well, not a story at all!
Happy antagonizing... (-:
Mrs. P
Blah! The protagonist (princess) gets what she wants (marriage to Prince Wonderful). Okay, we're happy for her (yippee!), but we really could care less about the story because we don't know much about her, and her life is perfect. She gets what she wants and she seems lucky and spoiled. Yawn! Whatever.
BUT...
Let's throw in antagonists! These are the animate or inanimate objects that create stumbling blocks for the protagonist and make us wonder "Oh, No! Poor princess! Will she ever marry Prince Wonderful?!" Antagonists can be people, creatures, ideas, fears, objects, weather, etc. Antagonists are a necessary part of every good story. And you can (and should) add more than one!
So, here's the same story with antagonists...
In a castle far, far away lives a lovely princess. She loves Prince Wonderful from the Kingdom Down the Road. Her evil step-father, King Hateful and Mean (antagonistic character), refuses to let her marry. He wants the princess to remain a single woman so she will care for him in his old age (antagonistic demands). To prevent her from leaving, he places a guard at her door each night so she will not leave (antagonistic characters).
Poor princess! She is sad (antagonistic feeling) for she loves Prince Wonderful with all her heart! She desires to marry Prince Wonderful but knows she will never be able to fulfill the desires of her heart. Secretly, she climbs out of the castle window each night and rides her white steed to the forest near the Kingdom Down the Road (you go, girl!). There she and Prince Wonderful kiss and profess their love (awwww!!!!). Every morning, she returns to her castle at sunrise, before her father awakens, and prepares his breakfast.
King Hateful and Mean becomes suspicious of her happy singing each morning as she prepares his grande breakfast burrito with salsa (ole!). One morning, the King orders his guards (antagonistic supporting characters) to follow the princess to the Kingdom Down the Road. They report back to the King where the girl goes each night. King Hateful and Mean yells hateful and mean things! When she returns the next morning, he angrily orders the princess to be jailed in the cold, dark dungeon in the depths of the castle (antagonistic environment) where she weeps with despair.
Will the princess and prince kiss and live happily ever after? That's up to you, the writer, and how many antagonists you want to throw at her.
Happy antagonizing... (-:
Mrs. P
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Hello, Wrimos!
Eight days until NaNoWriMo! Are you as excited as me? I can't wait to start writing. In the meantime, have you downloaded the NaNoWriMo workbook? It is an excellent source of information and activities to prepare you for your writing adventure!
Two of my students left messages for me on this blog which I will not post because they contained information that would identify them. Since this blog can be read by anyone, anywhere, I will answer them ambiguously.
#1 - To find me on NaNoWriMo website, log in and search by my last name. Invite me to join your buddy list so I can add you to our class forum.
#2 - Thanks for clarifying that you write under an alias. I will not reveal your identity. If you want people to know, you can tell them yourself.
That's all for now, Wrimos! Get ready, get set...eight days to go!
Eight days until NaNoWriMo! Are you as excited as me? I can't wait to start writing. In the meantime, have you downloaded the NaNoWriMo workbook? It is an excellent source of information and activities to prepare you for your writing adventure!
Two of my students left messages for me on this blog which I will not post because they contained information that would identify them. Since this blog can be read by anyone, anywhere, I will answer them ambiguously.
#1 - To find me on NaNoWriMo website, log in and search by my last name. Invite me to join your buddy list so I can add you to our class forum.
#2 - Thanks for clarifying that you write under an alias. I will not reveal your identity. If you want people to know, you can tell them yourself.
That's all for now, Wrimos! Get ready, get set...eight days to go!
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